A cold plate for cooling heat-generating components, includes two plates extending parallel to each other. A core is sandwiched between the two plates to form a sandwich structure, the core including a set of passages for passing a cooling fluid from a first edge to an opposite second edge of the sandwich structure. First and second fluid-tight joining members are disposed respectively on the first and second opposite edges of the sandwich structure, the first fluid-tight joining member including at least one inlet connector and the second fluid-tight joining member including at least one outlet connector for the passage of the cooling fluid. A method for use of the cold plate in particular as a structural part of an avionics equipment item is also provided.
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1. A cold plate for cooling heat-generating components, comprising: two plates extending parallel to one another and a core disposed between the two plates to form a sandwich structure, the core comprising a set of passages for passing at least one cooling fluid from a first edge to an opposite second edge of the sandwich structure, wherein first and second fluid-tight joining members are disposed respectively on the first and second opposite edges of the sandwich structure, the first fluid-tight joining member comprising at least one inlet connector for the at least one cooling fluid and the second fluid-tight joining member comprising at least one outlet connector for the at least one cooling fluid, wherein the first and second fluid-tight joining members block all the passages except at least one subset of the set of passages, the at least one inlet connector for at least one cooling fluid being connected with the subset of the set of passages, and the at least one outlet connector for the at least one cooling fluid being connected with the subset of the set of passages.
A cold plate cools heat-generating components by using two parallel plates with a core sandwiched between them. The core has internal passages allowing a cooling fluid to flow from one edge of the plate to the opposite edge. Fluid-tight connectors on these opposite edges create an inlet and an outlet for the cooling fluid. These connectors seal off most passages, directing the fluid through a specific subset of passages to ensure efficient cooling. The inlet connector is directly linked to this specific passage subset, as is the outlet connector.
2. The cold plate according to claim 1 , wherein the first fluid-tight joining member, respectively the second fluid-tight joining member, comprises a number of inlet connectors, respectively a number of outlet connectors, for the at least one cooling fluid.
This cold plate, which cools heat-generating components and includes two parallel plates, a core with internal cooling passages, and fluid-tight inlet/outlet connectors, uses multiple inlet connectors on one edge and multiple outlet connectors on the opposite edge. These connectors facilitate distributing the cooling fluid among several passages within the core. The core is sandwiched between the two plates, allowing coolant to flow from a first edge to the second. The fluid-tight connectors block all but a subset of the passages, and the inlets and outlets are connected to this subset.
3. The cold plate according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second fluid-tight joining members are inserted and fixed between the two plates extending beyond the core.
In this cold plate design, designed to cool heat-generating components, the fluid-tight inlet and outlet connectors are not just attached to the edges of the core, but are inserted and fixed between the two parallel plates, extending beyond the core itself. This provides additional structural support and a secure connection. The core has internal passages for coolant to flow from one edge to the other. These connectors block all but a subset of the passages, with the inlets and outlets directly connected to this subset. The core is sandwiched between the two plates.
4. The cold plate according to claim 1 , wherein the set of passages comprises passages closed by at least one of the two plates and emerging respectively on the first edge and on the opposite second edge of the sandwich structure.
This cold plate uses a core design where some cooling passages are formed by channels that are closed off on one side by either of the two parallel plates forming the sandwich structure. These passages open at opposite edges of the core structure, allowing coolant to flow through the channels. The cold plate is designed to cool heat-generating components, with fluid-tight inlet/outlet connectors that block all but a subset of the passages, directing fluid flow.
5. The cold plate according to claim 4 , wherein the passages each comprise two walls respectively adjacent to at least one of the two plates.
In this cold plate design, building on the idea of passages closed by the two parallel plates, the cooling passages each have two walls that are directly adjacent to at least one of the two plates. These walls define the shape of the cooling channels within the core. The cold plate cools heat-generating components, including fluid-tight inlet/outlet connectors blocking all but a passage subset. The passages themselves emerge on the first and second edges of the sandwich structure.
6. The cold plate according to claim 5 , wherein the two walls are inclined relative to one another and adjacent to one another to form a passage bottom.
Expanding on the cold plate design that has passages with walls adjacent to the plates, the two walls of each cooling passage are inclined relative to each other, meeting to form a passage bottom. This creates a generally V-shaped or angled channel for improved fluid flow or heat transfer. The cold plate is designed to cool heat-generating components, including fluid-tight inlet/outlet connectors that block all but a passage subset. The passages themselves emerge on the first and second edges of the sandwich structure, closed by at least one of the plates.
7. The cold plate according to claim 4 , wherein the core has a wavy form, the top of the waves being in contact with at least one of the two plates.
This cold plate employs a core with a wavy or corrugated form, instead of straight passages. The peaks of these waves are in direct contact with at least one of the two parallel plates. This wavy structure creates channels for the cooling fluid to flow. The cold plate cools heat-generating components and has fluid-tight inlet/outlet connectors blocking all but a passage subset. Passages are closed by the two plates, emerging on opposite edges of the sandwich structure.
8. The cold plate according to claim 4 , wherein the direction of passage of the at least one cooling fluid in the set of passages corresponds to a longitudinal direction of the sandwich structure, the core producing a fluid-tight closure of the cold plate on longitudinal edges of the cold plate.
In this cold plate, the cooling fluid flows through the passages along the longitudinal direction of the sandwich structure. The core material itself creates a fluid-tight seal on the longitudinal edges of the cold plate, preventing leaks. This configuration optimizes flow and containment. The cold plate cools heat-generating components and includes fluid-tight inlet/outlet connectors blocking all but a passage subset. Passages are closed by the plates, emerging on opposite edges.
9. The cold plate according to claim 1 , wherein the set of passages comprises passages parallel to one another.
In this cold plate design, the core contains cooling passages that run parallel to each other. This provides a uniform flow pattern and efficient heat removal across the surface of the cold plate. The cold plate cools heat-generating components using two parallel plates and a core with internal passages, with fluid-tight inlet/outlet connectors blocking all but a passage subset.
10. The cold plate according to claim 9 , wherein the passages are disposed zigzag fashion from the first edge to the opposite second edge of the sandwich structure.
Building on the parallel passage design, this cold plate arranges the parallel cooling passages in a zigzag fashion, alternating direction from one edge to the opposite edge of the sandwich structure. This serpentine path increases the fluid's residence time within the cold plate for improved heat transfer. The cold plate cools heat-generating components and includes fluid-tight inlet/outlet connectors blocking all but a passage subset.
11. A system for cooling heat-generating components, comprising a cold plate according to claim 1 , heat-generating components being disposed in contact with at least one of the two plates.
A system for cooling heat-generating components uses the previously described cold plate, consisting of two parallel plates, a core with internal passages, and fluid-tight inlet/outlet connectors. The heat-generating components are positioned in direct contact with at least one of the two plates, allowing heat to be conducted into the cold plate and dissipated by the cooling fluid. The inlet and outlet connectors block all but a subset of the passages.
12. A method of using a cold plate, the method comprising: providing a cold plate for cooling heat-generating components, the cold plate comprising: two plates extending parallel to one another and a core disposed between the two plates to form a sandwich structure, the core comprising a set of passages for passing at least one cooling fluid from a first edge to an opposite second edge of the sandwich structure, wherein first and second fluid-tight joining members are disposed respectively on the first and second opposite edges of the sandwich structure, the first fluid-tight joining member comprising at least one inlet connector for the at least one cooling fluid and the second fluid-tight joining member comprising at least one outlet connector for the at least one cooling fluid, wherein the first and second fluid-tight joining members block all the passages except at least one subset of the set of passages, the at least one inlet connector for at least one cooling fluid being connected with the subset of the set of passages, and the at least one outlet connector for the at least one cooling fluid being connected with the subset of the set of passages; and using the cold plate as a structural part of an avionics equipment item in an aircraft.
A method for cooling heat-generating components involves providing a cold plate consisting of two parallel plates, a core with internal passages for coolant to flow from edge to edge, and fluid-tight inlet/outlet connectors that block all but a subset of passages. The method then uses this cold plate as a structural component within avionics equipment in an aircraft. This integrates cooling and structural support within the same part. The connectors are directly linked to the subset of passages.
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December 21, 2015
August 15, 2017
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